For Such a Time As This: Diary and Devotions From 50 Years As a Navy Chaplain

Herbert M. Goetz has completed a book about his life in the US Military—with a spiritual twist. It may seem an unusual mix, but not for Goetz who carries the title of Captain, Chaplain, US Navy retired. Through 176 full-color pages, "For Such a Time As Diary and Devotions from 50 Years As a Navy Chaplain" shares with the reader Goetz’s perspective and reactions to a myriad of events throughout his career and subsequent retirement. Some occasions involving Goetz’s presence had international serving on Midway Island during a three-day conference between President Richard Nixon and President Nguyen Van Thieu; onboard the USS Kennedy at the time of its deadly collision with the USS Belknap; in St. Peter’s Square when Pope John Paul II was shot; flying over the Atlantic Ocean when news of the September 11 attacks was reported. Other episodes may not have had the same apparent influence but were certainly as important on a personal teaching at McKell High School when Jesse Stuart was principal; serving a poverty- and grief-stricken family living in a hut in the Puerto Rican jungle; sitting in a Tokyo dugout with Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher Warren Spahn; ministering in the capacity of chaplain for the Ohio State University’s NROTC. Part autobiography, part devotional, "For Such a Time As This" tells of the unique—as well as the universal—circumstances experienced by Capt. Goetz, and his consistently spiritual response to each. A portion of the proceeds will go to the National Navy League Chapel Fund, the International Italian Children’s Mission, the Ohio State NROTC Scholarship Fund, Eden Theological Seminary Chaplain Preparation Curriculum, the God Squad Children’s Ministry at Lakeside Chautauqua, the Special Olympics Organization, and the Camp Oyo Sustaining Committee.